AL DÍA News joins the celebration of Immigrant Heritage Month by highlighting the contributions of twelve Latino immigrants that, by their presence alone, enrich Philadelphia’s culture, politics and economy. Watch more of their stories, in their own words.

Prior to August 24th, 2016, Cristina Martínez was just another anonymous worker among the eleven million undocumented immigrants living in the country. But long before that day, her name was already an echo in the streets of South Philly.

The undocumented immigrant and her four kids, who remain in sanctuary in the Church of The Advocate, got the support of U.S. House representative Bob Brady, who introduced a private bill for the Congress to grant them permanent residency.